Pharmacists can provide IUDs and implants to women under NHS plans to relieve GPs.
As part of the same restructuring of access to contraception, women will also be able to get the pill without needing a doctor’s appointment.
The system, which is currently being tested, is due to be rolled out across England later this year, MailOnline has learned.
It’s part of a broader effort to ease the pressure on GPs, as pharmacists are already empowered to issue sick notes.
Experts hope that the reforms, which are still being negotiated with the unions, will result in a further 2 million appointments per year.
Women can now have their annual birth control pill check at pharmacies, while plans are in place for implanted and injectable contraceptives to be introduced soon
Current regulations allow pharmacists to dispense oral contraceptives and give advice on different types of contraception. But they can’t prescribe, adjust, or do an annual pill check.
The reform, which is to begin nationwide in the coming weeks, is divided into four stages.
The first provides that pharmacists will be able to conduct an annual review of birth control pills, with the sole responsibility of GPs.
At such appointments, a patient’s weight, blood pressure, and occurrence of side effects are checked—as well Discuss alternative birth control methods and share information on how patients can switch to a new method.
It will be available to those who are already on the pill. However, women can still visit their family doctor for an annual check-up if they prefer.
The first level of the national contraceptive service should be rolled out nationwide from January 11. However, IT problems delayed its nationwide launch, insiders claim.
In the second phase, currently due to be rolled out from October, pharmacies in England will also be able to prescribe the pill to anyone else who wants to take it.
Both phases have already been tested in pilot projects across the country.
In the third phase, pharmacies monitor and manage the dispensing of repeated long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC).
LARCS involves implants – a small plastic rod placed in the upper arm that prevents pregnancy for three years.
This also includes intrauterine systems (IUS) and intrauterine devices (IUDs), which are small T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus — usually by a doctor or nurse.
They work either by releasing progestin (IUS) or by making it from copper (IUD), both of which prevent pregnancy.
Pharmacists could also offer the birth control shot as part of the fourth tier of the plan.
The move comes as the government prepares to release its plan to restore primary care.
She is expected to detail how ministers will address record levels of public satisfaction with GP surgeries, which have left patients struggling to make in-person appointments.
It will also likely mean giving more powers to pharmacists, with Brits being encouraged to seek help from their local pharmacist for minor ailments.
Former Shadow Women and Equality Secretary Taiwo Owatemi, who sits on the Health and Welfare Committee and chairs the All-Party Pharmacy Group (APPG), told MailOnline the service was a “welcome move”.
She said: ‘I know it will be a vital lifeline for women across the UK who need contraceptive supplies readily available in their communities.
“It will remove important hurdles for women to have to speak to a doctor and instead put the care into their own hands.
“And while I’m happy, this is finally coming to fruition; It is frustrating that the government’s tremors and delays have slowed progress in this area so much.’
The Labor MP added: “I call on the Government to consult with the all-party group and pharmaceutical sector organizations and to listen to our concerns.
“Public pharmacies can provide so many services that we need to stop thinking of our pharmacies as just the place where we pick up our medicines.
“A pharmacy-first system must be implemented so that pharmacies are always the first port of call for minor illnesses. Only if we give pharmacies these additional powers can we solve the crisis in primary care.
“It is disappointing that the Government’s Minister for Basic Services, Neil O’Brien, is refusing to meet with the APPG, which is exemplary of this Government’s serious leadership failure when it comes to saving our pharmacies.”
Under the program, pharmacists can check the patient’s weight, height, blood pressure, ensure there are no dangerous side effects such as blood clotting and migraines, and dispense the drug. They can also discuss alternative birth control methods and information about how patients can switch to a new method
Meanwhile, Malcolm Harrison, executive director of the Company Chemists’ Association, which represents large pharmacy operators like Boots, said: “The Pharmacy Prevention Service is further recognition of the role the pharmacy can play in building capacity and resilience in primary care.
“We estimate that with investments, 2 million routine contraceptive appointments at the family doctor could be safely moved to pharmacies.”
He added: “However, this initial phase will only allow a limited number of people improved access.
“The NHS needs to roll out the subsequent phases – two, three and four – of this service quickly.”
Pharmacy chiefs also called on the Government to provide “the necessary additional funding” to enable pharmacists across England to participate in the service.
The impact of the pandemic, rising drug prices, staff shortages and inflationary pressures have sent the sector into crisis and hundreds of high street pharmacies are threatened with extinction.
The package of funding allocated to pharmacies in England – which is expected to be £5.2bn between 2019 and 2024 the representative body of community pharmacists, Negotiation Committee for Pharmaceutical Services.
Mr Harrison added: “More than 42 million GP appointments could be safely transferred to pharmacies in England.
“This requires the Government to invest in a sector that is currently underfunded at £67,000 per pharmacy.
He said: “The pharmacy sector is at a crossroads – investment now will help provide more and more NHS services or all parts of England will continue to have pharmacies closed forever.”
Meanwhile, said Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, managing director of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, told MailOnline: “It is difficult to imagine how the pharmacy can continue to provide these services if the funding is simply deducted from the fees for other parts of the service to be paid for, such as the training and care.
“Furthermore, NHS England’s inadequate IT solutions continue to make administrative aspects too complex and hamper pharmacists’ ability to prioritize front-line patient care.
“As such, we may see further delays in the large-scale rollout of this service.”
National Pharmacy Association vice chair Nick Kaye added: “Pharmacies are convenient and non-stigmatizing places to access sexual and reproductive health services.
“Most pharmacies have consultation rooms where confidential discussions can be held about the safe and effective use of oral contraceptives and possible side effects.”
However, he warned that “the chances of a successful national roll-out of the oral contraceptive service are greatly diminished by a decade of chronic underfunding that has brought pharmacies to their knees across England”.
Mr Kaye said: “Pharmacy owners are being forced to focus their energies on keeping their business running rather than implementing new NHS services.
“The money for this service is not new – it is taken from existing pharmacy budgets. Pharmacies are being asked to do more and less work while the capacity to deliver patient care is shrinking.’
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